Mining Machinery AC Regassing and Refrigerant Recovery in Rustenburg

AC Regassing and Refrigerant Recovery explained

Charging by weight after a proper evacuation is the only reliable way to return a heavy equipment system to specification. Guessing by sight glass or pressure alone leaves systems over or undercharged. Refrigerant is recovered rather than vented, the system is evacuated and held under vacuum to confirm integrity, oil is balanced where components were replaced, and the correct charge weight is introduced before a full function test.

Working conditions around Rustenburg

Rustenburg sits at the centre of the Western Limb platinum belt, with a dense concentration of shafts, concentrator plants, contractor yards and heavy-equipment workshops supporting both underground and surface operations. Hot, dry summers with intense afternoon heat and persistent haul-road and plant dust, combined with underground heat and humidity on shaft-based fleets.

Common faults we find

• Undercharged system
• Overcharged system
• Moisture in the circuit

Diagnostic process

• Operator interview and fault confirmation with the machine running under load
• Visual inspection of condenser, belts, hoses, wiring and cabin filters
• High and low side pressure testing against the manufacturer's specification
• Electronic leak detection, dye tracing or nitrogen pressure testing where required
• Electrical fault finding on clutches, relays, pressure switches and control modules
• Written findings, parts list and repair recommendation before work proceeds

Repair approach

• Correct recovery of refrigerant before any component is opened
• Compressor, condenser, evaporator, drier, valve, blower and harness repairs or replacement
• System flushing and drier replacement after contamination or compressor failure
• Vacuum, leak hold test, charge by weight and oil balance to specification
• Function test across the full temperature range with cabin outlet readings recorded

Preventative maintenance recommendations

Scheduled condenser cleaning, cabin and pressurisation filter replacement, belt and clutch inspection, pressure checks and electrical inspection at fixed service intervals reduce the chance of unplanned cabin cooling failures during production hours.